FORMER Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is eyeing up a move for Ewood Park hot shot Yakubu – for a cut price £1million.

West Ham United are in the market for a striker after last season’s immediate return to the Premier League and Yakubu is understood to be high up on ‘Big Sam’s wish list’.

The Hammers are believed to have put aside £4million to land a striker to score the goals needed to keep them in the top flight - and Yakubu’s bargain price tag will allow them to offer him a lucrative personal package.

Yakubu has already attracted significant interest from the Middle East and Asia after Rovers’ relegation to the Championship, but is understood to have his heart set on staying in the Premier League.

Steve Kean would ideally like to build next season’s campaign around the Nigerian, after his 18 goals in all competitions last time round, but appears to be fighting a losing battle.

The 29-year-old made an instant impact after signing for an estimated £1.5m from Everton on the final day of last summer’s transfer deadline.

Kean will attempt to convince the striker to stay at Ewood Park to help the club back into the top flight but, with a £1m relegation clause inserted into his contract, Yakubu holds all the cards despite being under contract.

Yakubu has scored goals throughout his Premier League career, although injuries have hampered his progress.

He has hit double figures in a season for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton Leicester and Rovers and believes he belongs in England’s top tier.

Yakubu has already admitted publicly he wants to play in the Premier League next campaign, despite enjoying life at Ewood Park, and is expected to get his way.

Losing Yakubu for just £1m would be another heavy blow for Rovers, who expect to also lose prized asset Junior Hoilett for a cut price fee.

The winger is out of contract next month and a move abroad would leave Rovers looking at less than £1m of compensation.

Meanwhile former Ewood Park favourite Colin Hendry has held talks with Kean about the possibi-lity of joining the coaching staff.

Hendry and Kean are understood to have met on Tuesday, after months of tentative discussions, with Hendry likely to join the club for next season in some capacity.